A WEEK passed, and no news arrived of Mr. Rochester: ten days,

and still he did not come. Mrs. Fairfax said she should not be

surprised if he were to go straight from the Leas to London, and

thence to the Continent, and not show his face again at Thornfield for

a year to come; he had not unfrequently quitted it in a manner quite

as abrupt and unexpected. When I heard this, I was beginning to feel a

strange chill and failing at the heart. I was actually permitting

myself to experience a sickening sense of disappointment; but rallying

my wits, and recollecting my principles, I at once called my

sensations to order; and it was wonderful how I got over the temporary

blunder- how I cleared up the mistake of supposing Mr. Rochester's

movements a matter in which I had any cause to take a vital

interest. Not that I humbled myself by a slavish notion of

inferiority: on the contrary, I just said-

'You have nothing to do with the master of Thornfield, further than

to receive the salary he gives you for teaching his protegee, and to

be grateful for such respectful and kind treatment as, if you do

your duty, you have a right to expect at his hands. Be sure that is

the only tie he seriously acknowledges between you and him; so don't

make him the object of your fine feelings, your raptures, agonies, and

so forth. He is not of your order: keep to your caste, and be too

self-respecting to lavish the love of the whole heart, soul, and

strength, where such a gift is not wanted and would be despised.'

I went on with my day's business tranquilly; but ever and anon

vague suggestions kept wandering across my brain of reasons why I

should quit Thornfield; and I kept involuntarily framing

advertisements and pondering conjectures about new situations: these

thoughts I did not think it necessary to check; they might germinate

and bear fruit if they could.

Mr. Rochester had been absent upwards of a fortnight, when the post

brought Mrs. Fairfax a letter.

'It is from the master,' said she, as she looked at the

direction. 'Now I suppose we shall know whether we are to expect his

return or not.'

And while she broke the seal and perused the document, I went on

taking my coffee (we were at breakfast): it was hot, and I

attributed to that circumstance a fiery glow which suddenly rose to my

face. Why my hand shook, and why I involuntarily spilt half the

contents of my cup into my saucer, I did not choose to consider.

'Well, I sometimes think we are too quiet; but we run a chance of

being busy enough now: for a little while at least,' said Mrs.

Fairfax, still holding the note before her spectacles.

Ere I permitted myself to request an explanation, I tied the string

of Adele's pinafore, which happened to be loose: having helped her

also to another bun and refilled her mug with milk, I said

nonchalantly-

'Mr. Rochester is not likely to return soon, I suppose?'

'Indeed he is- in three days, he says: that will be next

Thursday; and not alone either. I don't know how many of the fine

people at the Leas are coming with him: he sends directions for all

the best bedrooms to be prepared; and the library and drawing-rooms

are to be cleaned out; and I am to get more kitchen hands from the

George Inn, at Millcote, and from wherever else I can; and the

ladies will bring their maids and the gentlemen their valets: so we

shall have a full house of it.' And Mrs. Fairfax swallowed her

breakfast and hastened away to commence operations.

The three days were, as she had foretold, busy enough. I had

thought all the rooms at Thornfield beautifully clean and well

arranged; but it appears I was mistaken. Three women were got to help;

and such scrubbing, such brushing, such washing of paint and beating

of carpets, such taking down and putting up of pictures, such

polishing of mirrors and lustres, such lighting of fires in

bedrooms, such airing of sheets and feather-beds on hearths, I never

beheld, either before or since. Adele ran quite wild in the midst of

it: the preparations for company and the prospect of their arrival,

seemed to throw her into ecstasies. She would have Sophie to look over

all her 'toilettes,' as she called frocks; to furbish up any that were

'passees,' and to air and arrange the new. For herself, she did

nothing but caper about in the front chambers, jump on and off the

bedsteads, and lie on the mattresses and piled-up bolsters and pillows

before the enormous fires roaring in the chimneys. From school

duties she was exonerated: Mrs. Fairfax had pressed me into her

service, and I was all day in the storeroom, helping (or hindering)

her and the cook; learning to make custards and cheese-cakes and

French pastry, to truss game and garnishdessert-dishes.

The party were expected to arrive on Thursday afternoon, in time

for dinner at six. During the intervening period I had no time to

nurse chimeras; and I believe I was as active and gay as anybody-

Adele excepted. Still, now and then, I received a damping check to

my cheerfulness; and was, in spite of myself, thrown back on the

region of doubts and portents, and dark conjectures. This was when I

chanced to see the third-storey staircase door (which of late had

always been kept locked) open slowly, and give passage to the form

of Grace Poole, in prim cap, white apron, and handkerchief; when I

watched her glide along the gallery, her quiet tread muffled in a list

slipper; when I saw her look into the bustling, topsy-turvy bedrooms,-

just say a word, perhaps, to the charwoman about the proper way to

polish a grate, or clean a marble mantelpiece, or take stains from

papered walls, and then pass on. She would thus descend to the kitchen

once a day, eat her dinner, smoke a moderate pipe on the hearth, and

go back, carrying her pot of porter with her, for her private

solace, in her own gloomy, upper haunt. Only one hour in the

twenty-four did she pass with her fellow-servants below; all the

rest of her time was spent in some low-ceiled, oaken chamber of the

second storey: there she sat and sewed- and probably laughed

drearily to herself,- as companionless as a prisoner in his dungeon.

The strangest thing of all was, that not a soul in the house,

except me, noticed her habits, or seemed to marvel at them: no one

discussed her position or employment; no one pitied her solitude or

isolation. I once, indeed, overheard part of a dialogue between Leah

and one of the charwomen, of which Grace formed the subject. Leah

had been saying something I had not caught, and the charwoman

remarked-

'She gets good wages, I guess?'

'Yes,' said Leah; 'I wish I had as good; not that mine are to

complain of,- there's no stinginess at Thornfield; but they're not one

fifth of the sum Mrs. Poole receives. And she is laying by: she goes

every quarter to the bank at Millcote. I should not wonder but she has

saved enough to keep her independent if she liked to leave; but I

suppose she's got used to the place; and then she's not forty yet, and

strong and able for anything. It is too soon for her to give up

business.'

'She is a good hand, I daresay,' said the charwoman.

'Ah!- she understands what she has to do,- nobody better,' rejoined

Leah significantly; 'and it is not every one could fill her shoes- not

for all the money she gets.'

'That it is not!' was the reply. 'I wonder whether the master-'

The charwoman was going on; but here Leah turned and perceived

me, and she instantly gave her companion a nudge.

'Doesn't she know?' I heard the woman whisper.

Leah shook her head, and the conversation was of course dropped.

All I had gathered from it amounted to this,- that there was a mystery

at Thornfield; and that from participation in that mystery I was

purposely excluded.

Thursday came: all work had been completed the previous evening;

carpets were laid down, bed-hangings festooned, radiant white

counterpanes spread, toilet tables arranged, furniture rubbed, flowers

piled in vases: both chambers and saloons looked as fresh and bright

as hands could make them. The hall, too, was scoured; and the great

carved clock, as well as the steps and banisters of the staircase,

were polished to the brightness of glass; in the dining-room, the

sideboard flashed resplendent with plate; in the drawing-room and

boudoir, vases of exotics bloomed on all sides.

Afternoon arrived: Mrs. Fairfax assumed her best black satin

gown, her gloves, and her gold watch; for it was her part to receive

the company,- to conduct the ladies to their rooms, etc. Adele, too,

would be dressed: though I thought she had little chance of being

introduced to the party that day at least. However, to please her, I

allowed Sophie to apparel her in one of her short, full muslin frocks.

For myself, I had no need to make any change; I should not be called

upon to quit my sanctum of the schoolroom; for a sanctum it was now

become to me,- 'a very pleasant refuge in time of trouble.'

It had been a mild, serene spring day- one of those days which,

towards the end of March or the beginning of April, rise shining

over the earth as heralds of summer. It was drawing to an end now; but

the evening was even warm, and I sat at work in the schoolroom with

the window open.

'It gets late,' said Mrs. Fairfax, entering in rustling state. 'I

am glad I ordered dinner an hour after the time Mr. Rochester

mentioned; for it is past six now. I have sent John down to the

gates to see if there is anything on the road: one can see a long

way from thence in the direction of Millcote.' She went to the window.

'Here he is!' said she. 'Well, John' (leaning out), 'any news?'

'They're coming, ma'am,' was the answer. 'They'll be here in ten

minutes.'

Adele flew to the window. I followed, taking care to stand on one

side, so that, screened by the curtain, I could see without being

seen.

The ten minutes John had given seemed very long, but at last wheels

were heard; four equestrians galloped up the drive, and after them

came two open carriages. Fluttering veils and waving plumes filled the

vehicles; two of the cavaliers were young, dashing-looking

gentlemen; the third was Mr. Rochester, on his black horse, Mesrour,

Pilot bounding before him; at his side rode a lady, and he and she

were the first of the party. Her purple riding-habit almost swept the,

ground, her veil streamed long on the breeze; mingling with its

transparent folds, and gleaming through them, shone rich raven

ringlets.

'Miss Ingram!' exclaimed Mrs. Fairfax, and away she hurried to

her post below.

The cavalcade, following the sweep of the drive, quickly turned the

angle of the house, and I lost sight of it. Adele now petitioned to go

down; but I took her on my knee, and gave her to understand that she

must not on any account think of venturing in sight of the ladies,

either now or at any other time, unless expressly sent for: that Mr.

Rochester would be very angry, etc. 'Some natural tears she shed' on

being told this; but as I began to look very grave, she consented at

last to wipe them.

A joyous stir was now audible in the hall: gentlemen's deep tones

and ladies' silvery accents blent harmoniously together, and

distinguishable above all, though not loud, was the sonorous voice

of the master of Thornfield Hall, welcoming his fair and gallant

guests under its roof. Then light steps ascended the stairs; and there

was a tripping through the gallery, and soft cheerful laughs, and

opening and closing doors, and, for a time, a hush.

'Elles changent de toilettes,' said Adele; who, listening

attentively, had followed every movement; and she sighed.

'Chez maman,' said she, 'quand il y avait du monde, je le suivais

partout, au salon et a leurs chambres; souvent je regardais les femmes

de chambre coiffer et habiller les dames, et c'etait si amusant: comme

cela on apprend.'

'Don't you feel hungry, Adele?'

'Mais oui, mademoiselle: voila cinq ou six heures que nous

n'avons pas mange.'

'Well now, while the ladies are in their rooms, I will venture down

and get you something to eat.'

And issuing from my asylum with precaution, I sought a backstairs

which conducted directly to the kitchen. All in that region was fire

and commotion; the soup and fish were in the last stage of projection,

and the cook hung over her crucibles in a frame of mind and body

threatening spontaneouscombustion. In the servants' hall two coachmen

and three gentlemen's gentlemen stood or sat round the fire; the

abigails, I suppose, were upstairs with their mistresses; the new

servants, that had been hired from Millcote, were bustling about

everywhere. Threading this chaos, I at last reached the larder;

there I took possession of a cold chicken, a roll of bread, some

tarts, a plate or two and a knife and fork: with this booty I made a

hasty retreat. I had regained the gallery, and was just shutting the

back-door behind me, when an accelerated hum warned me that the ladies

were about to issue from their chambers. I could not proceed to the

schoolroom without passing some of their doors, and running the risk

of being surprised with my cargo of victualage; so I stood still at

this end, which, being windowless, was dark: quite dark now, for the

sun was set and twilight gathering.

Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after

another: each came out gaily and airily, with dress that gleamed

lustrous through the dusk. For a moment they stood grouped together at

the other extremity of the gallery, conversing in a key of sweet

subdued vivacity: they then descended the staircase almost as

noiselessly as a bright mist rolls down a hill. Their collective

appearance had left on me an impression of high-born elegance, such as

I had never before received.

I found Adele peeping through the schoolroom door, which she held

ajar. 'What beautiful ladies!' cried she in English. 'Oh, I wish I

might go to them! Do you think Mr. Rochester will send for us by and

by, after dinner?'

'No, indeed, I don't; Mr. Rochester has something else to think

about. Never mind the ladies to-night; perhaps you will see them

to-morrow: here is your dinner.'

She was really hungry, so the chicken and tarts served to divert

her attention for a time. It was well I secured this forage, or both

she, I, and Sophie, to whom I conveyed a share of our repast, would

have run a chance of getting no dinner at all: every one downstairs

was too much engaged to think of us. The dessert was not carried out

till after nine, and at ten footmen were still running to and fro with

trays and coffee-cups. I allowed Adele to sit up much later than

usual; for she declared she could not possibly go to sleep while the

doors kept opening and shutting below, and people bustling about.

Besides, she added, a message might possibly come from Mr. Rochester

when she was undressed; 'et alors quel dommage!'

I told her stories as long as she would listen to them; and then

for a change I took her out into the gallery. The hall lamp was now

lit, and it amused her to look over the balustrade and watch the

servants passing backwards and forwards. When the evening was far

advanced, a sound of music issued from the drawing-room, whither the

piano had been removed; Adele and I sat down on the top step of the

stairs to listen. Presently a voice blent with the rich tones of the

instrument; it was a lady who sang, and very sweet her notes were. The

solo over, a duet followed, and then a glee: a joyous conversational

murmur filled up the intervals. I listened long: suddenly I discovered

that my ear was wholly intent on analysing the mingled sounds, and

trying to discriminate amidst the confusion of accents those of Mr.

Rochester; and when it caught them, which it soon did, it found a

further task in framing the tones, rendered by distance

inarticulate, into words.

The clock struck eleven. I looked at Adele, whose head leant

against my shoulder; her eyes were waxing heavy, so I took her up in

my arms and carried her off to bed. It was near one before the

gentlemen and ladies sought their chambers.

The next day was as fine as its predecessor: it was devoted by

the party to an excursion to some site in the neighbourhood. They

set out early in the forenoon, some on horseback, the rest in

carriages; I witnessed both the departure and the return. Miss Ingram,

as before, was the only lady equestrian; and, as before, Mr. Rochester

galloped at her side; the two rode a little apart from the rest. I

pointed out this circumstance to Mrs. Fairfax, who was standing at the

window with me-

'You said it was not likely they should think of being married,'

said I, 'but you see Mr. Rochester evidently prefers her to any of the

other ladies.'

'Yes, I daresay: no doubt he admires her.'

'And she him,' I added; 'look how she leans her head towards him as

if she were conversing confidentially; I wish I could see her face;

I have never had a glimpse of it yet.'

'You will see her this evening,' answered Mrs. Fairfax. 'I happened

to remark to Mr. Rochester how much Adele wished to be introduced to

the ladies, and he said: "Oh! let her come into the drawing-room after

dinner; and request Miss Eyre to accompany her."'

'Yes; he said that from mere politeness: I need not go, I am sure,'

I answered.

'Well, I observed to him that as you were unused to company, I

did not think you would like appearing before so gay a party- all

strangers; and he replied, in his quick way- "Nonsense! If she

objects, tell her it is my particular wish; and if she resists, say

I shall come and fetch her in case of contumacy."'

'I will not give him that trouble,' I answered. 'I will go, if no

better may be; but I don't like it. Shall you be there, Mrs. Fairfax?'